Yes I know Opening Day is about three months away yet I found myself daydreaming during the Curtis Granderson introductory press conference yesterday. Who/what could I be daydreaming about you may ask?
Was it Jennifer Love Hewitt ? No.
Was it Jessica Alba in a string bikini ? Nope .
Could it be about the ’71 Dodge Demon 340 that I lusted over since I was 13 ? Nuh-uh.
Then what could it be that I was fantasizing about while our newest outfielder was talking about all the good things he heard about the Mets faithful (a mixture of good old-fashioned playing to the fan base with a pinch of brown-nosing thrown in for good measure). Try possible enthusiastic calls by either Howie Rose or Gary Cohen when The “Grandy Man” hits a game changing or game winning homerun or makes a stellar catch in the outfield.
So here are the Top 5 calls for Curtis Granderson when does something amazin for the Mets.
1. “IT’S A GRANDY SALAMMY!!!!!”
2. “IT’S A GRANDER- SON!!!!!”
3. “THAT ONE WAS GRANDED FOR LIFE!!!”
4. ” THAT BALL WAS ENGRANDED INTO THE PEPSI PORCH!!!!”
5. “GIVE THAT MAN A 100 GRAND BAR!!!”
But then after I stopped fantasizing I realized that our broadcasters are not named John Sterling and realized that this exercise was a moot point…
And with that said….. HERE COMES THE INFAMY!!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Utility infielder from the ’03 season, Jay Bell is 49 (1965).
Mets outfielder from the ’00 season, Derek Bell is 45 (1968).
Other transactions of note includes:
The New York Mets traded utility infielder, Felix Mantilla to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher, Tracy Stallard, third baseman, Pumpsie Green and utility infielder, Al Moran on December 11, 1962.
The New York Mets traded utility infielder, Ted Martinez to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder, Mike Vail and utility infielder, Jack Heidemann on December 11, 1974.
The New York Mets released pitcher, Bob Apodaca on December 11, 1979.
The New York Mets traded gold glove second baseman, Doug Flynn and middle reliever, Danny Boitano to the Texas Rangers for pitcher, Jim Kern on December 11, 1981.
The New York Mets traded shortstop, Frank Taveras to the Montreal Expos for pitching prospect, Steve Ratzer on December 11, 1981.
The New York Mets traded outfielders, Kevin Mitchell, Stan Jefferson and former first round draft pick, Shawn Abner to the San Diego Padres for outfielder,Kevin McReynolds, pitcher, Gene Walter and minor league infielder, Adam Ging on December 11, 1986.
The New York Mets traded shortstop, Rafael Santana and minor league pitcher, Victor Garcia to the New York Yankees for reserve outfielders, Phil Lombardi, Darren Reed and minor league pitcher, Steve Frey on December 11, 1987.
The New York Mets traded utility infielder, Jeff Gardner to the San Diego Padres for pitcher, Steve Rosenberg on December 11, 1991.Rosenberg never appeared is a game for as a Met.
The New York Mets signed 2 free agent pitchers, Steve Trachsel of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kevin Appier of the Oakland Athletics on December 11, 2000. I hated those signings at the time and I still dislike them today because this was when the Mets ownership and front office announced that the were not going to spend the money on a certain shortstop/third baseman who happens to be facing a 200 game suspension for PED use and instead gave us 2 mediocre pitchers.
The New York Mets signed free agent outfielder, Tsuyoshi Shinjo on December 11, 2000.
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Bubba Trammell to the San Diego Padres for middle reliever, Donne Wall on December 11, 2000.
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Alex Escobar, middle reliever, Jerrod Riggan, reserve outfielder, Matt Lawton, pitching prospect,Billy Traber and minor league first baseman, Earl Snyder to the Cleveland Indians for second baseman, Roberto Alomar, pitcher, Mike Bacsik and Danny Peoples on December 11, 2001. This trade should have been the steal of the century – intead it turned out to be one of the worst Mets trades ever !
The Los Angeles Angels signed spot starter/middle relievers, Darren Oliver of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 11, 2006. I like most Mets fans wished that the Mets made an attept to re-sign him.
The New York Mets traded starting pitcher, Aaron Heilman, reserve outfielder, Endy Chavez, and middle relievers Joe Smith, Jason Vargas,along with minor league first baseman,Mike Carp, pitching prospect, Maikel Cleto and minor league outfielder, Ezequiel Carrera to the Seattle Mariners for relievers, Sean Green, J. J. Putz and reserve outfielders, Jeremy Reed on December 11, 2008.
The Mets drafted middle reliever, Darren O’Day from the Los Angeles Angels on December 11, 2008.
One year to the day, the Chicago White Sox signed set up man, J. J. Putz of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 11, 2009. Putz should have been part of a completely overhauled bullpen in ’09 but by mid-season he sustained a shoulder injury. Needless to say a firestorm of controversy Putz claimed the Mets tried to steer him away from surgery and pitch through the injury !
The Houston Astros signed middle reliever, Jon Switzer of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 11, 2009.
There were reported sightings of Mo Vaughn in Orlando yesterday- but it turned out to be Shamu at SeaWorld!!!!
